Associated Bank Bolsters Executive Leadership Team with Strategic Appointments
MILWAUKEE, Oct. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Associated Banc-Corp ASB (“Associated”), a leading banking institution in the Midwest, announced today the strategic appointments of Phillip Trier and Gregory Warsek to its Executive Leadership Team (ELT), effective November 1, 2024. These appointments underscore Associated’s commitment to strengthening its leadership and driving continued growth across key business segments.
Phillip Trier
joins the ELT as Executive Vice President, Head of Corporate and Commercial Banking. Trier, a seasoned banking professional with over 20 years of experience, joined Associated in December 2023 to spearhead the expansion of the company’s Commercial Middle Market business across its major metropolitan markets. He also led the company’s equipment finance and leasing vertical, and commercial deposit and treasury management sales and service strategies.In his elevated role, Trier will oversee all aspects of Associated’s Commercial Banking operations, creating a unified structure to ensure alignment across this business line. He will continue to be based in the Twin Cities.
“Phil has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a clear vision for growth since joining Associated,” said Andrew J. Harmening, President and CEO of Associated Bank. “He’s a valuable asset to our team, and his expertise will be instrumental in driving market share gains in our commercial business, a key pillar of our strategic plan.”
Gregory Warsek
assumes the role of Executive Vice President, Deputy Head of Commercial Real Estate (CRE) and Facilities. Warsek brings over 30 years of experience in commercial real estate to Associated, having joined the company in 2002. He played a pivotal role in establishing Associated’s Chicago Commercial Real Estate business and the St. Louis Commercial Real Estate Loan Production Office. In 2014, he created the Institutional and Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) groups, strategically expanding the bank’s commercial real estate capabilities in the fund, corporate real estate, and public REIT markets.Warsek has successfully led Associated’s CRE offices and loan production as group leader since 2022. He will continue to report to Paul Schmidt, head of Commercial Real Estate and Facilities, until March 2025. At that time, Schmidt will step down from the ELT as head of CRE and Facilities but remain as Twin Cities market president and advisor to CRE and Facilities until the end of 2025, when he plans to retire.
“Greg’s leadership and deep knowledge of the commercial real estate sector make him the ideal candidate to continue the momentum and success achieved under Paul’s direction,” said Harmening. “His commitment to supporting local communities is highly valued, and he has earned the respect of banking industry leaders within our verticals.”
John Utz
, currently Head of Corporate and Commercial Banking, transitions to the role of Head of Specialized Industries and Capital Markets, while maintaining his position as Milwaukee market president. Utz, a seasoned banking professional with over 14 years of experience at Associated, will oversee the Specialized Industries of Power and Utilities, Data Centers, Asset Based Lending, Government Banking, Mortgage Warehouse, Financial Institutions, and Insurance. He will also continue to lead the bank’s capital markets division, comprised of interest rate derivatives, commodity derivatives, and foreign exchange. Additionally, he is responsible for the Bank’s Associated Equity Investments department as well as risk and credit management for the wholesale bank.About Associated Banc-Corp
Associated Banc-Corp ASB, headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is the largest bank holding company based in the state. With total assets exceeding $42 billion, Associated operates as a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services through nearly 200 banking locations across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota. The company also maintains loan production offices in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and Texas.
Associated Bank, N.A. is an Equal Housing Lender, Equal Opportunity Lender, and Member FDIC. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at www.associatedbank.com.
